Huskies In The National Park

Our day to explore Denali National Park. The deal is that you have to park your car pretty much as soon as you get into the park, and take a bus from there to the various attractions deep into the park. The single road extends into the park 92 miles, and regular buses ply the road letting you off at the sights. You just hail down a bus from anywhere along the road to get between the sights, or back to the park entrance at the end of the day.

We scrambled to get to the park in time for the 9:30 bus but, although we made it, there were no spare seats, and it looked like we might have to wait around until the 11am bus. Luckily, at the very last minute, there were some cancellations and we scored three standby tickets, so they were away.

The three of them headed off for Toklat River where they did a big walk for an hour or so, then hopped back on the bus and returned to Polycrome Overlook where they walked some more along the road, ignoring the passing buses as the outlook was so spectacular. They saw lots of animals, but the highlight nature wise was the huge caribou complete with antlers lazing about at Savage River on the way home. I think Brendan got a good photo of it, so I'll have to get a copy.

While they were on the bus ride, I did a ranger walk to Horseshoe Lake looking at the trees and animals - the first time I've seen beaver activity. Then I drove the short distance that we were allowed to the Savage River car park, but the drizzle had set in by that stage, and visibility was pretty terrible. Just as well that we had previously seen Mt McKinley. However, the scenery that you could see was pretty amazing.

I headed back to the Visitors Centre and took the Huskie and Sled tour. Didn't get to drive the huskies - that takes a bit of skill, and there were 100 of us that would have all wanted a go. However we got to pat the dogs, and watch them work and take one of the rangers for a ride. Seems that there are two types of huskies - smaller siberian huskies bred for racing that we usually see in films and on TV, and larger working huskies that are used in situations like this park to cart loads, open up trails, and rescue people. A full team can pull up to half a tonne through the snow, so they are very strong. When working the dogs, the rangers lift them by the collar and walk them about on their hind legs, otherwise they are too strong for the rangers to handle.

There seemed to be about 25 dogs in the program, and as they work for about 10 years, they only breed one litter a year, ensuring it's genetic diversity. The dogs themselves look quite like dingoes, with long legs and a layer of fur under their layer of hair and, nope, they don't get washed as it destroys the natural oils.

The wanderers returned about tea time, a bit dirty for their travels, but pleased with what they saw. Found a shack selling take away Thai, and woofed down a number of serves for dinner. As it's light till midnight, Brendan and Rachel headed back into the park after dinner to do a bit more walking, and enjoy it while it's quiet.